Styrax plant named ‘EVENING LIGHT’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Styrax  plant named ‘EVENING LIGHT’ which exhibits an upright vase-shaped habit with foliage that emerges and remains rich dark purple to black when grown in full sun. When grown in shade, the older lower leaves of ‘EVENING LIGHT’ become dark olive green or bronze in color. ‘EVENING LIGHT’ bears pure white to very pale pink bell-shaped flowers in May and June. ‘EVENING LIGHT’ prefers sandy soil and is hardy to USDA Zone 5. In combination these traits set ‘EVENING LIGHT’ apart from all other existing varieties of  Styrax  known to the inventor.

Genus: Styrax.

Species: japonicus.

Denomination: ‘EVENING LIGHT’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Styrax,commonly known as Japanese Snowbell that is grown for use as a smalltree. It is known botanically as Styrax japonicus and will be referredto hereinafter by the cultivar name ‘EVENING LIGHT’.

‘EVENING LIGHT’ was discovered by the inventor in 2001 at the inventor'snursery in Boskoop, the Netherlands as a chance seedling which arose inthe nursery amongst other seedlings of unnamed Styrax raised by theinventor. The inventor observed that one seedling, initially named“Kolster Purple” and later named ‘Evening Light’ exhibited dark purplefoliage when grown in full sun. The inventor observed this one seedlinginto maturity and commenced propagation when the plant was five years ofage.

The variety of Styrax which is considered by the inventor to mostclosely resemble ‘EVENING LIGHT’ is Styrax ‘Purple Dress’ (unpatented).The foliage of ‘EVENING LIGHT’ is more elongated when compared with thebroad leaves of ‘Purple Dress’. Whereas the foliage of ‘Evening Light’emerges and remains glossy dark purple to black when grown in full sun,the foliage of ‘Purple Dress’ emerges reddish-brown and becomes matteolive-green by summer.

Asexual reproduction of ‘EVENING LIGHT’ was first accomplished by theinventor in 2006 in a cultivated area of Boskoop, the Netherlands.Asexual propagation was accomplished by grafting ‘EVENING LIGHT’ ontoStyrax seedling understock. Since that time the distinguishingcharacteristics of ‘EVENING LIGHT’ have been determined stable anduniform and to reproduce true to type in successive generations ofasexual propagation by other means including semi-hardwood cuttings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent thecharacteristics of the new Styrax cultivar ‘EVENING LIGHT’. These traitsin combination distinguish ‘EVENING LIGHT’ from all other varieties ofStyrax known to the inventor. ‘EVENING LIGHT’ has not been tested underall possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed withvariations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions, withouthowever any change in genotype.

-   -   1. Plants of ‘EVENING LIGHT’ exhibits an upright vase-shaped        habit.    -   2. The foliage of ‘EVENING LIGHT’ emerges and remains rich dark        purple to black when grown in full sun.    -   3. When grown in shade, the older lower leaves of ‘EVENING        LIGHT’ become dark olive green or bronze in color.    -   4. ‘EVENING LIGHT’ bears pure white to very pale pink        bell-shaped flowers in May and June and which are formed on        young wood.    -   5. At four years of age, plants of ‘EVENING LIGHT’ are 1.5 m in        height and 0.7 m in spread.    -   6. At ten years of age, plants of ‘EVENING LIGHT’ are 3 m in        height and 1.2 m-1.5 m in spread.    -   7. ‘EVENING LIGHT’ prefers sandy soil.    -   8. ‘EVENING LIGHT’ is hardy to USDA Zone 5.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Styrax variety ‘EVENING LIGHT’ showing colors as true as it isreasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.Colors in the drawings may differ from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actualcolors of the new variety ‘EVENING LIGHT’.

The drawing labeled FIG. 1 shows the inventor's original selection as a10 year old tree which has been grown out of doors by the Breeder in hislandscape in Boskoop, The Netherlands. This drawing illustrates the darkfoliage of ‘EVENING LIGHT’ wherever it is exposed to full sun and notshaded by adjacent plant material or its own leaf canopy.

The drawing labeled FIG. 2 illustrates the white to very pale pinkbell-shaped flowers of ‘EVENING LIGHT’.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 3 illustrates the uppermost foliage of afour year old tree of ‘EVENING LIGHT’. Under these conditions of fullsun exposure the juvenile and mature foliage is glossy dark purple toblack.

All drawings were made using conventional techniques and although colorsmay appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance theyare as accurate as possible by conventional photography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new cultivar ‘EVENINGLIGHT’. Data was collected from 4 years-old plants grown out of doors inMollala, Oreg. The color determinations are in accordance with the 2007edition of The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, England, except where general color termsof ordinary dictionary significance are used. No chemicals were used totreat the plants. Growing conditions are typical to other Styrax.

-   Botanical classification: Styrax.-   Species: japonicus.-   Common name: Japanese Snowbell.-   Commercial classification: Deciduous flowering tree.-   Use: Landscape plant.-   Parentage: Styrax japonicus (chance seedling).-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant habit.—Upright, vase-shaped.        -   Plant dimensions (4 years).—1.5 m in height, 0.7 m in            spread.        -   Plant dimensions (10 years old).—3 m in height 1.2 m, 1.5 m            in spread.        -   Plant hardiness.—USDA Zone 5.        -   Type.—Deciduous flowering tree.        -   Propagation.—Grafting, budding, or with semi-hardwood            cuttings.        -   Growth rate.—Vigorous.        -   Cultural requirements.—Moist light sandy soil with good            drainage.        -   Diseases and pests.—None known to the inventor.-   Stem:    -   -   Shape.—Cylindrical.        -   Dimensions.—4 year old plant, trunk: Length 1 m; diameter            (at 10 cm above ground level): 2.5 cm-3.0 cm. 4 year old            plant, current year's growth: Length 50 cm-75 cm; diameter 3            mm-5 mm.        -   Internode length.—An average of 2.5 cm.        -   Color.—Trunk, below leaf canopy: 162D. Stems and lateral            stems: Ranges between 172B and 46A.        -   Surface.—Trunk: Smooth bark except for longitudinal            fissures, lenticels absent. Current year juvenile growth            lightly pubescent, otherwise smooth.-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaves.—Arrangement: Alternate. Division: Simple. Shape:            Elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate. Dimensions: Approximately            4-7.2 cm in length and 1.5-3.5 cm in width. Apex: Acuminate.            Base: Acute. Venation pattern: Reticulate.        -   Leaf and vein color.—The foliage of ‘EVENING LIGHT’ emerges            and remains rich dark purple to black when grown in full sun            (hereinafter “dark leaves”). When grown in shade, the older            lower leaves of ‘EVENING LIGHT’ become dark olive green or            bronze in color (hereinafter “green leaves”). Dark leaves:            Vein color (adaxial): 200A. Vein color (abaxial): 200C.            Margin type: Serrate. Surface texture: Upper surface glossy;            lower surface matte. Leaf color (both young and mature            leaves, adaxial surface): N186A and darker, almost to black            202A. Leaf color (both young and mature leaves, abaxial            surface): 200A. Attachment: Petiolate. Petiole: Dimensions:            11 mm in length and 1.5 mm in diameter. Surface: Smooth with            light pubescence when foliage emerges. Color: N199A.        -   Green leaves.—Vein color (both surfaces): 148B. Margin type:            Serrate. Surface texture: Upper surface glossy; lower            surface matte. Young leaf color (both surfaces): 137A.            Mature leaf color (adaxial surface): Ranges between 137A and            N137A. Mature leaf color (abaxial surface): Ranges between            146A and 152A. Attachment: Petiolate. Petiole: Dimensions:            11 mm in length and 1.5 mm in diameter. Surface: Smooth with            light pubescence when foliage emerges. Color: 152C.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Form.—Pendulous raceme.        -   Arrangement.—Terminal.        -   Quantity of flowers per inflorescence.—4 to 8.        -   Flowering period.—May and June: plant is in bud and flower            for approximately five weeks.        -   Lastingness of individual flower after first            opening.—Approximately 2 weeks in mid May and 1 week in mid            June.        -   Flower.—Diameter of flower (including calyx, corolla,            petals): 2.5 cm. Height of flower: 1.5 cm. Bud shape: Oval.            Bud color: White, closest to N155B. Bud surface: Smooth. Bud            dimensions: 11 mm in length and 6 mm in diameter. Calyx:            Campanulate. Sepals: 5, fused except for apex. Sepal Apex:            Obtuse. Sepal Color: As peduncle 180A, or lighter 180B.            Sepal surface: Glabrous. Corolla dimensions: Approximately            1.2 cm in length and 2.5 cm in width. Corolla surface:            Glabrous. Corolla tube color: Whitish, ranging between N155C            and 157C. Number of petals: 5. Petals fused or unfused:            Unfused. Petal shape: Ovate. Petal color (both surfaces):            White to very pale pink, ranges from NN155D to N155B. Petal            surfaces (both): Smooth. Peduncle shape: Cylindrical.            Peduncle dimensions: 1.5 cm to 3.5 cm in length and 0.5 mm            to 1.5 mm in diameter. Peduncle color: 180A. Peduncle            surface: Glabrous.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Pistil.—1 in number.        -   Pistil dimensions.—1.5 cm in length.        -   Pistil color.—N155B.        -   Pistil surface.—Smooth.        -   Stigma shape.—Rounded.        -   Stigma dimensions.—Approximately 0.5 mm in length and 0.5 mm            in width.        -   Stigma color.—N155B.        -   Style shape.—Linear.        -   Style dimensions.—Approximately 16 mm in length and 1 mm in            width.        -   Style color.—N155B.        -   Number of stamens.—10.        -   Stamens fused or unfused at base.—Unfused.        -   Stamen dimensions.—10 mm in length and 0.8 mm in width.        -   Stamen color.—N155B.        -   Anther shape.—Linear.        -   Anther dimensions.—6 mm in length and 1.0 mm-1.2 mm in            width.        -   Anther color.—24C.        -   Pollen color.—13A.        -   Pollen amount.—Slight.        -   Ovary position.—Superior.        -   Ovary shape.—Rounded.        -   Ovary dimensions.—4 mm in length and 3 mm in width.        -   Ovary color.—N186C.-   Fruit and seed:    -   -   Fruit.—Dry drupe, ovoid, 1 cm in length, 0.8 cm in diameter.        -   Fruit color.—Pale gray-green, 193C.        -   Quantity of seeds per capsule.—Typically 1, occasionally 2            or 3.        -   Seed shape.—Ovoid with acute apex and base.        -   Dimensions of seed.—8 mm in length, 5 mm in diameter.        -   Color.—Ranges between 166B and 166C.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Styrax plantnamed ‘EVENING LIGHT’ as described and illustrated herein.